MP govt probes Rewa maternal death, suspends four hospital staff members

Rewa, Aug 28 (IANS) Two doctors and two nursing officers have been suspended following the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child at Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rewa.

The state government has also constituted an inquiry committee to probe allegations of medical negligence and misbehaviour with the woman’s family, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said on Friday.

Shukla, who holds the Health portfolio, said patient safety and adherence to prescribed medical protocols were the government’s priority.

He stressed that sensitive and respectful behaviour towards patients and their relatives, along with adherence to prescribed medical protocols, was the highest priority, and any negligence in this regard would not be accepted.

The Deputy Chief Minister directed officials to ensure an impartial inquiry and said strict action would be taken against those found responsible. He added that based on the findings of the inquiry committee, strict action would be taken according to the facts, and necessary corrective measures would be put in place to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

According to the government, Kalpana Mishra, wife of Amit Mishra and a resident of Hatwa village under Baikunthpur police station in Rewa district, was admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Gandhi Memorial Hospital at around 2:38 a.m. on August 26. She and her unborn child died at around 11:55 p.m. the same day.

Medical records showed that her platelet count was around 30,000 per microlitre when she was admitted. Her blood pressure was severely elevated, and liver enzymes were also found to be high. Doctors diagnosed her with severe pre‑eclampsia, severe thrombocytopenia and HELLP syndrome along with a term pregnancy. The government said treatment and necessary medical procedures were initiated as per the prescribed protocol.

The family later alleged misbehaviour and negligence in treatment and submitted a complaint. Sonal Agrawal of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department and Nidhi Pandey of the Anaesthesia Department were suspended with immediate effect for prima facie gross negligence in duty and serious indiscipline. The two nursing officers were suspended following allegations of misbehaviour with the family.

A committee comprising senior doctors has been constituted to investigate the allegations. On the family’s demand, a joint team of the Rewa district hospital and medical college conducted post‑mortem examinations of the woman and her unborn child. After completion of the necessary formalities, the bodies were transported by a mortuary vehicle to their native village.

–IANS

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